Toy game gun and table including ball control



R. B. HAYTER Feb. 27, 1962 TOY GAME GUN AND TABLE INCLUDING BALL CONTROLFiled Nov. 24, 195 8 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Q/a/mrd 5. flay @qrroR 4Feb. 27, 1962 R. B. HAYTER 3,023,003

TOY GAME GUN AND TABLE INCLUDING BALL CONTROL Filed Nov. 24, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. R/chdfid 5. Hayfer 7 17/ E g m'roklv 4 UnitedStates Patent This invention relates to a game assembly and has for itsprimary object to provide toy structure which serves not only asamusement means but also has educational value for young and Old personsalike.

It is a further important object of the invention to provide a toyassembly comprising a number of cooperaole units which permit varioustypes of games to be played while at the same time assuring that theplay time is not wasted by virtue of the inherent educational featuresof the game components.

Also an object of the invention is to provide a game board having anovel ball control unit mounted thereon for guiding balls along aselected path of travel onto the game board, as well as an improved gunfor imparting movement to the balls in a direction toward the game boardwhereby the player may utilize the equipment to play a substantiallyunlimited number of difierent types of games and with the differentcomponents of the assembly constructed in a manner to encourage thepersons skill during successive playing periods while also teaching theplayer, particularly if the same is in a younger age bracket, variousimportant educational facts.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a toy assembly asreferred to, having a number of mutually cooperable componentspermitting the player or players to employ the'separate units in anumber of ways, whereby 7 interest is maintained over a long period oftime and maximum utilization of the equipment is assured.

Other important objects of the invention relate to the provision of atoy assembly wherein certain of the units include a novel ball controlswingably mounted on a game board in a manner to permit the player todirect balls or the like onto thegame board in selected directions tothereby push over objects initially placed on the game board or to causethe balls to become emplaced within recesses provided within the uppersurface of the game board; to a ball control as described above whereinmore than one han may be directed onto the game board substantiallysimultaneously; to a ball control comprising a funnel-shaped memberserving to guide the balls onto the game board in a selected directionupon displacement of such balls from a support adjustably carried by thefunnel-shaped member; to an improved toy gun having a projectile thereinadapted to cause balls or the like disposedon the support of the ballcontrol unit to be displaced therefrom in a direction to be guided ontothe board when the gun is actuated to cause the projectile thereof to beejected from the barrel of the gun; to a toy gun as referred to aboveconstructed in an improved manner to assure long life of the same andprovide amusement to various ages of children by virtue of the many waysin which the gun can be utilized; to a toy assembly wherein the gameboard is adapted to have a number of educational indicla on the upperface thereof to teach the players educational facts during playing ofgames; and to other important objects which will become obvious or beexplained more fully as the following specification progresses.

' 3,023,003 Patented Feb. 27, 1952 In the drawings: 7

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of certain components of the instant toyassembly and particularly illustrating the game board and ball controlnormally pivotally mounted thereon, certain parts being broken away andin section to reveal details of construction;

FIG. 2 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken substantially on theirregular line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

PEG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on theline 3-3 of FIG. 1; i 7

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a toy gun constitut ing onecomponent or" the present toy assembly;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken substantially on the lines5-5 and 66 respectively of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged, detailed, vertical, cross-sectionalview of the gun shown in FIG. 4; and

PEG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 ofPEG. 7. v v

A toy assembly broadly designated 10 and illustrated in the drawings inits preferred form includes as basic components, a game board 12 a ballcontrol unit 14 and a toy gun l6.

Game board 12 comprises a flat panel 18 constructed of wood, reinforcedcardboard, fiberboard, or equivalent sub-stances and normally supportedin a substantially horizontal position by collapsible legs 26 eachpositioned at a corresponding corner of panel 18. 7 Panel 18 isrectangular in configuration and is surrounded by an upright, continuousrail 22 secured to the peripheral margin of panel 18 by virtue of groove24 in the normally inner surface of rail 22 receiving the defined marginof panel 18.

.tration only, game board 12 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as having fourgroups of circles 28, 30, 32 and 34, each arranged in substantiallytriangular configuration. and having the name of one of the Statestherein-as well as the capital of such State if so desired, Each of. thegroups of circles 28, 34B, 32 and 34 has twelve circles therein, while acentral circle 36 is provided to complete the fortynine States of theUnion. In order to increase the educational value of theinformationplaced within the circles of groups 28, 3t), 32 and 34, asWell as circle 3.6,th'e different States are grouped into geographicalareas indicated North, West, South and East, with the Statesin suchareas placed within corresponding circles of the groups so designated.For example, asshown FIG. 1,

circles 28 are designated West, groups of circles 3!! labeled South,circles 32 designated East, while groups of circles 34 have the NorthernStates therein and centralcircle 36 has the name Alaska placed therein.

For reasons to be made clearer hereinafter, it iss also preferred that apair of series 38 and 4,0 of depressions 42 be formed in the upper face26 of panel 18 in staggered, offset relationship along opposed,parallel, longitudinal margins of game board 12. Depjressidns 42 arepreferably semispherical in configuration so that balls or the like maybe emplaced within the same. i I

Ball control unit 14 adapted to be utilized in conjunction with gameboard l2'comprises a tubular, substantially funnel shaped member 44constructed of a sheet of flexible material such as polyethylene orlike, with opp edges thereof o ppe t prese the illus- P1655 or the l keA ball support broadly designated 46 is mounted on the end 48 offunnel-shaped member 44 having the largest diameter, and includes a mainhall support arm 56 preferably constructed of suitable synthetic resinmate- 'rial and having a relatively shallow, semispherical, up-

wardly facing depression 52 adapted to receive a small portion of aspherical object such as a rubber ball 54.

Means for mounting 50 within end 48 of member 44 comprises afiat-headed, threaded bolt 56 extending through an opening 58 in arm 50as well as through a perforation 60 in the wall of member 44. Head 62 ofbolt 56 flatly engages the normally uppermost surface of arm 50 whilethe threaded segment 64 of bolt 56 is complementally received within abore 66 in cylindrical pivot element 68, also constructed of syntheticresin material. A pivot pin segment 70 integral with element 68 and inalignment with the axis of the latter is adapted to be rotatablydisposed within one of the openings 72 provided therefor in panel 18adjacent respective margins thereof. A rubber washer 74 surrounding pinsegment 70 and engaging the proximal shoulder surface of pivot element68 is normally disposed between the latter and face 26 of panel 18 whenpin segment 70 is positioned Within one of the openings 72.

A secondary ball mount broadly numerated 76 is also attached to arm 50and includes an extension 78 joined to the upper face of arm 50intermediate end 80 thereof and bolt 56, by a suitable adhesive. As bestshown in FIG. 1, extension 78 projects laterally from arm 50 and has atubular component 82 attached to the outer end thereof remote from arm50 in an upright position as illustrated in FIG. 3. The upper edge 84 ofcomponent 82 is beveled to present a substantiallyfrusto-conical sup-.port for ball 54 or a second ball 85 if so desired. Note should betaken of the fact that when a second ball 85 is mounted on ball support46, ball 85 is disposed above and to one side of ball 54. Also, it canbe seen that the outer end 80 of arm 50 projects outwardly from end 48of member 44, and an aperture 86 is provided in end 80 of arm 50 forreasons to be explained more fully hereinafter. Although member 44 maybe of any desired length, it is particularly contemplated that the samebe of such length that the small diameter end 88 thereof clears rail 22when member 44 is swung about the axis of pivot pin segment 70 ofelement 68.

Means for displacing balls 54 and 85 from support 46 in a novel mannerpreferably comprises toy gun 16 having a main cylindrical barrel 90 anda control assembly releasably connected thereto at the end 92 of barrel90 and broadly indicated 94. The major elements of gun 16 areconstructed of moldable, synthetic resin material to thereby lower thecost of production of gun 16 and also assuring a long useful life of thesame.

Control assembly 94 is formed of two opposed sections 96 and 98 normallymaintained in assembled relationship by a screw 100 passing throughsection 98 and received within section 96.

Each of the sections 96 and 98 has a handle portion 102 as well as asemicylindrical segment 104, with opposed segments 104 cooperating topresent a cylindrical portion adapted to be telescoped within end 92 ofbarrel 90, as clearly shown in FIGS. and 7. A plurality of metal screwsor the like (not shown) are preferably employed to maintain barrel 90 inreleasable engagement with control assembly 94.

Means for ejecting a spherical projectile 106 from barrel 90 when suchprojectile is positioned within the same comprises a piston unit broadlydesignated 108 having a first circular disc 110 provided with atransversely concave, substantially semispherical depression 112 facingtoward the outer end 114 of barrel remote from control assembly 94. Asecond disc 116 disposed rearwardly of disc 112 toward control assembly94, concentric with disc and normally spaced from the latter, is ofsubstantially equal diameter to disc 110. A crossbar 118 is interposedbetween discs 110 and 116 and has a pair of opposed recesses 120intermediate the ends thereof and of sufficient size to receiverespective discs 11%) and 116, as best shown in FIG. 5. A tie fastener122 extending through aligned openings in discs 110 and 116, as well ascrossbar 118, is disposed perpendicularly to the latter and has a fiat,outer head 124 engaging the outer concave face of disc 110 and anenlarged segment 126 on the opposite end thereof engaging the outersurface of disc 116 away from crossbar 118.

Opposed, outer ends of bar 118 extend through corresponding elongatedslots 128 in barrel 90 and extending longitudinally of the latter, withsemicylindrical segments 104 of handle portions 102 having notches 130therein aligned with slots 128 when barrel 90 is telescoped oversemicylindrical segments 104. Crossbar 118 is reciprocable in slots 128and notches 130 and means for biasing crossbar 118 and thereby discs 110and 116 toward end 114 of barrel 90 comprises a pair of coil springs 132hooked over respective outer ends of crossbar 118 externally of barrel90 and extending longitudi nally of the latter within respective tubes134 suitably secured to the outer surface of barrel 90, with a planethrough the axes of tubes 134 being substantially perpendicular to aplane through the points of interengagement of handle portions 102. Theends of coil springs 132 remote from crossbar 118 are hooked withinperforated elements 136 and integral with stops 138 which are ofslightly greater diameter than the inside diameter of tubes 134 whereby,when coil springs 132 are hooked into elements 136 and the latter aretelescoped within corresponding tubes 134, stops 138 engage the outeredge margins of respective tubes 134 to cause springs 132 to biascrossbar 118 toward the outer end of barrel 90. Semicylindrical sections140 overlying slots 128 and aligned with respective tubes 134 serve toprotect piston unit 108 and also provide clearance for movement ofcrossbar 118 within slots 128, it being noted that the ends of tubes 134adjacent piston unit 108 terminate at the commencement points of slots128. Resilient bumpers 142 attached to crossbar 118 in positions toengage barrel 90 at the terminal points of slots 128 remote from controlassembly 94 serve to prevent crossbar 118 from being damaged when movedtoward end 114 of barrel 90 by springs 132, and also eliminate noisesincident to interengagement of crossbar 118 and barrel 90.

Trigger mechanism broadly designated 144 for releask ably maintainingpiston unit 108 at the inner end of its path of travel includes asubstantially L-shaped trigger 146 pivotally mounted on section 96 by apin 148 secured to handle portion 102 of section 96 and rotatablyreceived by trigger 146, it being noted that the normally lowermostportion of trigger 146 is disposed to be moved by a person with hisforefinger during grasping of handle portions 102 of control assembly94, while the upper, normally horizontal portion of trigger 146underlies cylindrical segments 104 of sections 96 and 98.

A substantially L-shaped latch 150 is pivotally mounted on the upermosthorizontal portion of trigger 146 at the outer end thereof, it beingnoted that latch 150 has a laterally projecting leg 152 adapted toextend through an opening 154 presented by suitable aligned notches inbarrel 90 and respective semicylindrical segments 104 of handle portions102 of control assembly 94. As indicated in FIG. 7, a coil spring 156housed within trigger 146 and normally bearing against latch 150 biasesthe latter about pivot point 158 in a direction to move leg 152 of latch150 through opening 154 and into a position to engage disc 116 betweenthe latter and disc 110. Beveled surface 158 on leg 152 facilitatesmovement of the lower guide 160 secured to disc 116 over the upper endof leg 152. Another guide 161 in opposed relationship to guide 160maintains discs 116 and 110 in coaxial relationship with barrel 90, andopposed grooves 162 in semicylindrical segments 104 slidably receiverespective guides 160 and 161. Guide 160 has a downwardly facing,beveled surface 164 adapted to engage surface 158 to facilitate swingingf latch 150 downwardly against the action of spring 156 to permit leg152 to move into engagement with disc 116 between the latter and disc110, as outlined above.

A crank 166 pivotally mounted on handle portion 104 of section 96 by apin 168 has an outer leg 170 provided with an upwardly facing notch 172engageable with the lower end of trigger 146 as shown in FIG. 7. Coilspring 174 interposed between trigger 146 and the normally upright legportion 176 of crank 166 biases trigger 146 toward a position with theupper, normaily horizontal portion thereof abutting semicylindricalsegments 104 and also moving leg portion 170 into engagement withtrigger 146 with the lower end thereof received within notch 1'72. Thus,it can be seen that trigger 146 cannot be actuated until after crank 166has been swung to a location with notch 172 clearing the lower end oftrigger 146.

An L-shaped lever element broadly designated 178 is pivotally carried byhandle portion 102 of section 96 and has an elongated, normallydownwardly extending handle portion 180 and an inner portion 182substantially at right angles to handle portion 180. A flexible chain orthe like 183 interconnects the outer end of inner portion 132 of leverelement 17% with enlarged segment 126 of tie fastener 122. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the upright leg portion 176 of crank 166 isdisposed to be engaged by handle portion 180 of lever element 178 whenthe latter is swung toward trigger 146. A stop 184 forming a part ofhandle portion 102 of section 96 and disposed between trigger 146 andupright leg portion 176 of crank 166 serves to limit the extent ofpivoting of trigger 146 and crank 166 about respective axes thereof.

Projectile 106, which is preferably in the nature of a rubber ball, hasan elongated, extensible element 186 connected thereto and which extendsthrough an open- -ing 188 in barrel 96 and the outer end thereof beingreleasably connected to a perforated bracket 190 secured to the outerface of barrel 90.

It can now be recognized that many types of amusing and educationalgames may be played with toy assembly utilizing the various componentseither singiy but preferably in combination to thereby increase theeducational value of the game and also, increase the skillfulmanipulation of the various units.

The manner in which all of the components are utilized to play differentgames will be described in detail with respect to a limited number oftypes of games, but it is to be understood that one of the features ofthe present invention is the fact that an almost unlimited number ofdifferent games may be played With the instant toy assembly.

One type of game suitable for relatively young children involves theplacement of various objects such as plastic toy soldiers or otherobjects capable of being knocked over, on the upper face 26 of panel 13in spaced relationship to control unit 14 when the latter is disposed atone end of game board 12, as shown in FIG. 1. After placement of theobjects such as toy soldiers in selected positions on game board 12, arubber ball 54 is placed on arm 50 of ball support 46 in a position tobe displaced therefrom and directed through funnelshaped member 44- ontothe upper face 26 of board 12. Note should be taken of the fact that theposition of ball 54 relative to end 48 of member 44 may be changed byrotating arm 50 about the axis of bolt means 56. After member 44 hasbeen shifted to a de sired direction relative to board 12 and as member44 is pivoted about pivot pin segment 70 of pivot element 68, projectile106 is moved into a position within barrel 90 and engaging disc 116 ofpiston unit 108. Handle portion 180 of lever element 178 is grasped androtated about the axis of pivoting thereof to a position as illustratedin dotted line in FIG. 7, whereupon inner portion 182 of lever element178 pulls piston unit 108 rearwardly and into semicylindrical segments104 of control assembly 94 by virtue of the chain element 183 connectedto enlarged segment 126 of tie fastener 1 22. As piston unit 108 ismoved rearwardly by lever element 178, guide 161 sliding in a respectivegroove 162, slides over the upper end of leg 152 of latch 150, with leg152 engaging disc 116 between the latter and disc 110.

It can be perceived that as piston unit 108 is moved rearwardly by leverelement 178, guide forces latch res downwardly by virtue ofinterengaging beveled surfaces 158 of leg 152 and 164 of guide 160smoothly sliding over each other.

Handle portion 130 of lever element 178 is next moved downwardly to itsnormal folded position as shown in FIG. 4, and toy gun 16 is incondition for firing. The gun is now aimed at ball 54 resting on arm 50and handle portion 180 of lever element 178 is moved inwardly towardcontrol assembly 94 in a manner to cause handle portion 180 to engageupright leg portion 176 of crank 166, whereby leg portion 170 of thesame is moved downwardly permitting notch 172 to clear the lower end oftrigger 146. With crank 166 swung downwardly against the action of coilspring 174, the player may press trigger 146 to pivot the same about pin14% and move latch 150 downwardly with respect to barrel 90 and causeleg 152 of latch 150 to be moved out of engagement with disc 116.Release of piston unit 108 from trigger mechanism 144 permits springs132 to bias crossbar 11% toward end 114 of barrel 90, whereby disc 110engaging projectile 106 ejects the latter from the outer end of barrel90 at a relatively high velocity. However, it can be seen thatextensible el e ment 136 connected-to projectile 106 permits the latterto travel only a predetermined distanceand the same is easilyrecoverable by virtue of extensible element 186 being connected tobracket 190 attached to barrel As projectile 106, ejected from barrel90, strikes ball 54, the latter is moved in a direction toward theinterior of funnel-shaped member 44 and is directed onto the upper face26 of panel 18 through end 88 of member 44.

The manner in which ball 54 passes from funnel-shaped member 44 isdependent not only upon the direction in which projectile 106 engagesball 54, but also dependent upon the initial relative position of ball54 with respect to end 48 of member 44. If ball 54 is substantially inthe center of end 48 of member 44. and further, if projectile 106strikes a substantially direct blow against ball 54,,the latter isprojected through member 44 in a substantially straight line and with arelatively high velocity.

However, if gun 901s pointed so that projectile 10 strikes ball 54 at asubstantial angle with respect .to the axi of member 44, or if arm 50has been swung to a position with ball 54 remote from the axis of member44, it can be recognized that ball 54 tends to describe a spiral path inpassing through member 44 and therefore, does not emerge from end 830imember 44 at a relatively high velocity and also a certain degree ofspin is ir'npartedto ball 54.

In lieu of the above operation, another ball 85 may be placed oncomponent 82 and the same procedure carried out. A third alternative isto place balls 54 and 85 on ball support 46 and attempt to knock both ofthe same through funnel-shaped member 44 by projectile 106.

Other games may also be played with toy assembly 10 by attempting tocause balls 54 and/or 85 to be deposited in one of the depressions 42according to a predetermined pattern and if desired, various pointvalues may be assigned to the difierent depressions to increase theinterest of the game.

It can also be recognized that the groups of circles 28, 30. 32 and 34having factual indicia thereon may be correlated with the game beingplayed to increase the value of toy assembly 10 by virtue of making thesame educational as well as providing amusement.

The utilization of toy gun 16 in conjunction with ball control unit 14and game board 12 is of importance because in the absence of strikingballs 54 and/ or 85 with a considerable force, the desired movement ofballs 54 and/or 85 through funnel-shaped member 44 could not beobtained. Furthermore, it would not be practical to utilize one of theballs 54 or 85 as the projectile in gun 16 because of the fact that theball would be directed onto game board 18 at such velocity as to passdirectly over rail 22. It is to be pointed out at this juncture thatalthough rail 22 has been illustrated as being relatively low, theheight thereof may be increased to any practical level in order toassure that the balls remain on panel 18 after the same are ejected fromfunnel-shaped member 44.

Attention is also directed to the manner in which control unit 14 may bemoved to various positions on panel 18 with respective openings 72receiving pivot pin segment 70 of pivot element 68. Thus, not only maymember 44 be moved to difierent locations on game board 12 but also thedirection of member 44 relative to the board may be changed as desiredin order to obtain the requisite ball direction, particularly when caromor similar type shots are required.

Another game which may be played with the instant toy assembly is toplace balls or the like in all of the depressions 42 and then attempt todislodge certain of the balls from corresponding depressions or todisplace as many of such balls at one time with a single ball 54 or 85.

Although the preferred embodiment of the instant. invention has beenillustrated and described in detail, it is to be understood that variousmodifications may be made in the present invention without departingfrom the spirit thereof and therefore, it is intended to be limited onlyby the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a ball control unit for a game board, a tubular, open end,funnel-shaped member; means on said member adapting the same for pivotalmounting on the game board in overlying relationship thereto with thelongitudinal axis of the member substantially parallel with the uppersurface of the board, and the member being swingable about an axissubstantially perpendicular to the plane of the game board surface; anda ball support pivotally mounted within the largest diameter end of themember and including a substantially horizontal arm provided with anupwardly facing depression adapted to receive a portion of the ball.

2. A ball control unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said meansincludes a pivot element secured to said member adjacent the largestdiameter end thereof and projecting laterally from the outer surface ofthe member, said element being adapted to be rotatably disposed withinan opening in the game board adjacent the margin thereof whereby themember may be swung in a controlled are about the axis of said element.

3. A ball control unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided asecondary ball mount secured to said arm for supporting a ball in spacedrelationship to said arm above and to one side of the latter.

4. A ball control unit as set forth in claim 3 wherein said secondaryball mount includes an extension secured to said arm for movementtherewith and projecting laterally from the same, and a normally uprighttubular component secured to the outer end of the extension remote fromthe arm and adapted to support a ball at the upper end thereof.

5. In a toy game pistol, an elongated barrel; a piston reciprocablymounted Within the barrel in a position to engage a projectile placedwithin the barrel; resilient means carried by the barrel and connectedto said piston for biasing the latter toward one end of the barrel toforce the projectile from the same at a relatively high velocity; anelongated hand grip connected to said barrel at the end thereof opposedto said one end and projecting laterally from the barrel; a controlassembly within said grip and including latch means releasably holdingthe piston at the innermost end of its path of travel against the actionof said resilient means; trigger actuated mechanism on said hand gripand operably connected to said latch means for moving the latter to aposition releasing said piston; a lever element pivotally mounted on thenormally rear portion of said hand grip and including an upper portionprojecting toward said piston and a lower portion extending along thelongitudinal length of said hand grip in a partially exposed positionand presenting the rearmost part of said hand grip; mean connecting saidupper portion of the lever element to said piston for moving the lattertoward said innermost position thereof against the action of saidresilient means as said lower portion of the lever element is swung in adirection away from said hand grip; and a crank pivotally mounted on thecontrol assembly in a position with one end thereof normally engagingthe trigger to prevent movement of the latter in a direction releasingsaid latch'means, the lower portion of said lever element beingengageable with the crank to rotate the latter when the lower portion ofthe lever element is swung toward the control assembly whereby the crankis moved to a location permitting the trigger to be actuated.

6. A toy game pistol as set forth in claim 5 wherein said lever elementis of generally L-shaped configuration and said means connecting theupper portion of the lever element to said piston is an elongatedflexible connector chain.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS476,046 Fuld May 31, 1892 970,018 Coleman Sept. 13, 1910 1,163,102Morgan Dec. 7, 1915 1,266,271 Hunt May 14, 1918 1,416,593 Alexander May16, 1922 1,454,982 Pye May 15, 1923 2,001,449 Bergstrom May 14, 19352,007,885 Spriggs July 9, 1935 2,481,337 Palken et a1. Sept. 6, 19492,837,078 Daniel June 3, 1958

